Bra

ABSTRACT

A bra assembly including an eyelet with stretch knit fabric of no less than 1.6″ and no more than 2″ in diameter, and the outer edges sewn into the bra no larger than 4″ in diameter, which is the standard size of the average pump flange. In an illustrative embodiment, the eyelet is not the exact size of the areola, but specifically sized for access of an infant&#39;s mouth without contact with the fabric. This eyelet is added to the bra through additive manufacturing for custom eyelet location. The fabric in question is knit stretch fabric sewed in a circle with the knit going from the center to the edges in a sunburst pattern for even stretch.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/352,408, filed on Jun. 15, 2022, entitled Bra, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present item relates generally to breastfeeding garments. Specifically, the present item relates to a bra that provides for ease of breastfeeding.

BACKGROUND

The majority of current nursing bras are designed very simply, with a thin, stretch knit fabric cover that can be removed to reveal the breast, and on the inside, a strap to keep the waistband and the cover connected. The problem with this is that for breasts that sag or are too large to stay in place, once the cover is removed the breast is no longer supported, and the act of breastfeeding a baby with large breasts is difficult without support. The bras themselves only serve to make access to the breast easy, but not to make the act of breastfeeding itself easy. Large breasts are heavy, and these bras are not structured enough to provide a good shape to the breast when mothers want to look presentable. With how difficult it is to have large breasts as it is, these bras are not worth it because they are just as difficult to navigate breastfeeding with as it would be to not wear a bra at all. Few of these nursing bras have shoulder straps designed to withstand the weight of large breasts, so will wear away more quickly than bras with thicker, more padded straps. Often the clasps are also too weak to handle the weight of large, unsupported breasts, and sometimes snap off, rendering the bra useless.

Other nursing bras attempt to maintain some level of support for large breasted mothers with a stirrup that cups the bottom of the breast from the armpit, but leaves the entire top of the breast exposed. This would work for a mother who does not have breasts that sag or droop, which would be the ideal, but is not the reality for most. A breast would spill over this stirrup if too large, and the stirrups can only be so big before they cover the nipples, which need to be exposed. These stirruped bras often have underwires, as well, which is not recommended for breastfeeding moms, and when a mother has large breasts, underwires push the existing weight of the breasts directly onto the ribs which can be very uncomfortable. However, with this kind of stirrup technology, an underwire is necessary, the design does not work well without it.

There are some nursing bras that have a large hole in the general center of the bra in an attempt to offer as much support as possible, but again, with large breasts that sag or droop, this is no different than not wearing a bra at all as the breast will spill or pucker out at a greater scale than illustrated in FIG. [2] (A).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth below with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items. The systems depicted in the accompanying figures are not to scale and components within the figures may be depicted not to scale with each other.

FIG. 1 illustrates a bra where the edge of the elastic part (unless the entire bra is elastic, in which case there would be no edge) should be no smaller than a standard pump flange, approximately 4″ diameter.

FIG. 2 illustrates the dimensions that have been found to be the best to supply adequate support as shown in FIG. 6

FIG. 3 illustrates the direction of the knit fabric around the eyelet as it is sewn toward and from the center to prevent uneven tension.

FIG. 4 illustrates the potential puckering of the breast out of an eyelet that is too large to properly support the breast.

FIG. 5 illustrates how an eyelet that is too small could inhibit an infant from latching at all as there is little to no areola contact.

FIG. 6 illustrates how proper eyelet sizing as referenced in FIG. 2 maintains proper support of the breasts and avoids the breast puckering out of the eyelet while still allowing the infant to have full areola contact which provides a proper latch.

FIG. 7 illustrates a profile view of the bra and eyelet as it would be worn with the direction of the stretch knit fabric radiating out from the nipple and the dimensions that best supply support.

FIG. 8 illustrates the cover of the nursing bra replacing whatever apex of the breast is lost when the nipple is exposed through the nursing eyelet.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrates a nursing cover that has a separate flap for each breast, as well as a set of thick straps that are to prevent shoulder discomfort.

FIG. 11-12 illustrates a soft bodied, seamless bra with a full cover, similar to standard nursing bras, as well as a set of thick straps that are to prevent shoulder discomfort.

FIG. 13-14 illustrates a front-clasp bra with a cover flap for each breast cup, as well as ultra-thick shoulder straps that are to prevent shoulder discomfort.

FIG. 15-16 illustrates a fully supportive bra with non-stretch fabric structure which provides maximum support to the breasts with a full cover, similar to standard nursing bras, as well as a set of thick straps that are to prevent shoulder discomfort.

FIG. 17-18 illustrates a bra that is made in the same way as a standard nursing bra, but with the stretch fabric inside providing full coverage with a full cover, as well as a set of thick straps that are to prevent shoulder discomfort.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

A In seeking a way in which a large-breasted mother may have ease with breastfeeding her infant, a garment was sought that may maintain support as well as allow breastfeeding in a relaxed manner. During one such desperate feeding, this item was conceived and brought to be through means of handsewing a structured eyelet into a fitted bra through which the infant could nurse and the mother able to relax back without being required to hunch or bend to keep all items in place, the items being the breast, the baby, and any other supporting pillows.

The original garment modification consisted of stiff fabric that was sewn onto and through a supportive bra with a slit on one side to allow access for a pump flange and secured with a hook-and-eyelet clasp. This was not a good design, but it served its purpose for several months. It became evident that the hook-and-eyelet clasp posed a danger to the infant when it became loose, which prompted a redesign with elastic fabric no longer required of a clasp of any kind. The new design allowed the same easy access to the nipple that the infant needed, and had the added benefit of allowing a pump flange into the eyelet without difficulty as the fabric stretches to accommodate it.

Overview

In the examples described herein, it is evident that support of the breast is maintained through the original structure of the bra even after the eyelet is added. It is also clear that while breastfeeding, a mother may not require as much physical strain to ensure a proper latch.

Examples described herein provide a visual as to how the bra may fit while worn.

Examples described herein also provide an assurance of comfort while bra is in use.

Example Embodiments

FIG. 1 illustrates the dimensions of the eyelet required for maximum support for the intended purpose. Eyelet does NOT need to be the same diameter as the areola. Only large enough to successfully and comfortably feed a baby. A baby's mouth is very small. Even the fatter babies still have tiny mouths. Even as toddlers, their mouths will fit with plenty of room for full areola contact without contact with the fabric. If the eyelet were to be the size of a large areola, the breast will not have adequate support and pucker out(A). If the size of a small areola, it the eyelet will be too small(B), and the baby will have too much contact with the fabric and will suck in too much air due to inability to latch.

FIG. 2 shows the importance that the eyelet be within the dimension parameters described in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 illustrates a profile view of the eyelet as it would look while worn.

FIG. 4 illustrates how the apex of the breast that may be lost while in use will be recovered once the nursing bra cover is returned to its proper position.

Having full control of breast position makes breastfeeding while lying on sides and back much easier and more comfortable. Breasts heavy with milk can pull downward, causing tension and compression of milk ducts, causing discomfort, backed up milk, clogs, and potentially mastitis. Having adequate support can relieve that tension, lifting the breasts and releasing the pull and weight on the milk ducts, and allowing the milk to flow more freely.

Having adequate support also relieves positioning. A mother may have to hold her breast with various techniques, which may make her hand become uncomfortable and tired. She may need to take frequent breaks to relieve that discomfort, which may be frustrating for the baby as well. With this bra, she will not have to hold her breast at all and will be able to focus on cradling her baby more comfortably.

This also relieves some concern about potentially accidentally suffocating the baby when nursing at night and the mother falls asleep. It is not recommended to fall asleep while breastfeeding, but it happens in the first weeks.

No one has symmetrical breasts, so having the eyelet be fully custom to an individual's nipple location ensures comfort. The mother would not have to over adjust to force the nipple to line up with some one-placement-fits-most eyelet.

This bra design may be the most beneficial to mothers with large breasts, but as it also affords a large amount of privacy, smaller breasted mothers may enjoy in case of needing to breastfeed while in public.

The physical burden and difficulty with breastfeeding often contributes to PPD (Post Partum Depression) due to feelings of failure, inadequacy, etc. A nursing bra that eases the already difficult task of breastfeeding enough of a degree that a mother may push through with more confidence may reduce the rate at which mothers who want to breastfeed giving up.

A breastfeeding system includes at least two nipple access eyelets consisting of a stretch knit fabric sewn to a bra to allow an infant to nurse from the breasts with ease and without difficulty. The modular unit also includes a snug cover that returns the breasts to a desirable shape, thick shoulder straps to ease shoulder discomfort, and no underwire.

CONCLUSION

The examples described herein provide an accurate visual as to what such a bra with an eyelet for ease of infant access would look while in use.

With the above-described systems and methods, a breastfeeding mother will have a much easier time easing into breastfeeding as a whole with full breast support, and proper posture. An infant will not expend very much energy trying to nurse as the nipple will be exactly where it needs to be, with full areola contact clear of the nostrils. This puts the mother at ease that she will not accidentally suffocate her infant and can relax further. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bra comprising: at least one cup to support a breast; and a reinforced aperture defined in the cup at a location of a nipple, wherein the aperture is sized to allow a baby to latch to the nipple and eliminate protraction of excessive portions of the breast from extending out of the aperture.
 2. The bra of claim 1, further comprising knit fabric around the aperture sewn toward and from a center of the aperture.
 3. The bra of claim 1, wherein the aperture is between approximately 1.6″ and 2″ in diameter. 